MADAM

The ‘pinch point’ between Agincourt Square and Monnow Street is working well, despite the various predictions of chaos.

Normally, these systems take several weeks to settle down, but this one has worked well from the start and mostly traffic is running freely. When there has been congestion it seems to be largely because of cars and delivery vans parking illegally or inconsiderately, and there is an obvious need to enforce the prohibitions, particularly in the initial period.

Mostly, however, the scheme is remarkably free-running. The narrowing caused by all the yellow “no stopping” cones also shows that it can be extended a little further towards St John Street without difficulty.

MCC chickened out of its first attempt to solve the problem, but it has to be congratulated on its bravery this time around. This solution opens the door to the reworking of Monnow Street which the Traffic and Transport Sub-group of the Monmouth Partnership Forum recommended in 2007. Now Monnow Street needs a total and sympathetic reworking to update the shabbiness and make it a pleasanter place to shop, and in particular to make it easier to cross the street.

Next – Agincourt Square!

Phil Bly

(Monmouth)